According to a new study, a simple balance test may predict cognitive decline in Alzheimer's.

The image depicts an atrophied Alzheimer's brain.

This study was carried out in 16 university hospital departments of neurology, geriatrics or psychiatry in ten cities with 686 outpatients suffering from Alzheimer's.

This population is representative of the Alzheimer's population seen by clinicians in daily practice. Patients were evaluated by a geriatrician every six months for up to two years, and their degree of cognitive impairment was measured using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE).

At the same time, a "one-leg balance" (OLB) test was given, where a participant was asked to stand on one leg for as long as possible. The OLB test was reported as abnormal when the participant was unable to stand on one leg for 5 seconds or more.

Participants with an abnormal OLB at baseline or/and during the follow-up showed significantly more cognitive decline at 12, 18 and 24 months than the participants with a OLB test normal at baseline and normal during the follow-up.

The worst condition (having an abnormal OLB at baseline and during the follow-up= no improvement) was associated with a mean adjusted cognitive decline of 9.2 points.

The best condition (having a normal OLB at baseline and during the follow-up = no worsening) was associated with a mean adjusted cognitive decline of 3.8 points.

Senior Investigator Yves Rolland states, "Our results suggested that an abnormal OLB is a marker of more advanced dementia (worst baseline characteristic) and an independent predictor of cognitive decline in Alzheimer's. Our results reinforce in an Alzheimer's population, the growing evidence suggesting a link between physical performances and cognitive decline. If these results are confirmed by other data, the OLB test could be adopted in clinical practice to identify Alzheimer's patients at high risk of rapid cognitive decline."

Related Articles


High Blood Pressure Linked to Greater Risk for Dementia Later in Life High blood pressure may put women at greater risk for dementia later in life by increasing white matter abnormalities in the brain, report researchers.

Having a Parent With Alzheimer's or Dementia May Affect Memory According to a study, people who have parents diagnosed with Alzheimer's or dementia may be more likely to have mild cognitive impairment or memory loss themselves

Alzheimer’s Disease Nutrition Product Souvenaid In July 2008, Nutricia Advanced Medical Nutrition took the first step towards introduction of its Alzheimer’s product Souvenaid®, when the successful high-level

Education May Help Brain Cope With the Damage Caused by Alzheimer's The theory that education can delay the onset of the dementia and cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s has been bolstered in a study by scientists at the Alzheimer's

Antibodies Could Play a Role in Alzheimer’s Treatment and Prevention Antibodies to a wide range of substances that can aggregate to form plaques, such as those found in Alzheimer’s patients, have been identified in the blood and

References:
1. Yves Rolland, et al. An Abnormal 'One-leg Balance' Test Predicts Cognitive Decline During Alzheimer's Disease. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease 16:3.

Add comment

User Name (Required)

E-mail (Required - Never shown publicly)

Website (Optional)

Notify me of follow-up comments

If you cannot read the code click to refresh for a new code.

Add comment

Cancel